Diesel vehicles not major contributor to air pollution: Centre to NGT

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, told the green panel that there was no proof that diesel vehicles which were over 10 years old, were the sole cause of air pollution and that all types of fuel cause some amount of pollution.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, told the green panel that there was no proof that diesel vehicles which were over 10 years old, were the sole cause of air pollution and that all types of fuel cause some amount of pollution.

"According to IIT and CPCB study, diesel vehicles are not a major source of air pollution. There is no evidence to show that 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles cause major pollution and in fact their contribution is minuscule. All forms of fuel including CNG and petrol cause pollution," the law officer told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

She said that while petrol emits carbon dioxide, CNG too causes pollution as it is high on nitrogen oxides.

Anand said that the ministry has initiated several schemes to create awareness about air pollution and is also giving subsidy to the buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles to encourage their increased use.

The bench then said, "You had stated before us that you were in favour of removing 15-year-old diesel vehicles. Today, you are saying something different. Have you ever measured emission from a single moving commercial or domestic vehicle."

To this, the ASG replied that all her arguments were backed by scientific studies and would refer to these at the time of detailed hearing in the case.

The matter has now been posted to March 7.

On January 13, the Centre had moved the Supreme Court seeking lifting of the ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi and NCR, saying it was affecting the economically weaker section of people.

Noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi, the tribunal had held that all diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old, will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR.

"All vehicles, diesel or petrol which are more than 15 years old, shall not be permitted to ply on the roads and wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the authorities concerned shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law...," the tribunal had said in its November 26, 2014 order.

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